Outcomes after breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), oncological and survival outcomes based on locoregional treatment are poorly understood. In particular, the safety of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for TNBC has been questioned. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS) rates in patients with TNBC who had breast-conserving surgery versus mastectomy. Estimates were pooled in random-effects analysis. The effect of study-level co-variables was assessed by univariable metaregression. RESULTS: Fourteen studies, including 19 819 patients operated for TNBC met the inclusion criteria; 9828 patients (49.6 per cent) underwent BCS and 9991 (50.4 per cent) had a mastectomy. Patients with smaller tumours were more likely to be selected for BCS (pooled odds ratio (OR) for T1 tumours 1.95, 95 per cent c.i. 1.64 to 2.32; P < 0.001). The pooled OR for LRR was 0.64 (0.48 to 0.85; P = 0.002), indicating a statistically significantly lower odds of LRR among women who had BCS relative to mastectomy. The pooled OR for DM was 0.70 (0.53 to 0.94; P = 0.02), indicating a lower odds of DM among women who had BCS; however, this difference diminished with increasing study-level age and follow-up time. A pooled hazard ratio of 0.78 (0.69 to 0.89; P < 0.001) showed a significantly lower hazard for all-cause mortality among women undergoing BCS versus mastectomy. CONCLUSION: These results should be interpreted cautiously owing to likely differences in selection for BCS or mastectomy in the included studies. Patients with TNBC selected for BCS do not, however, have a worse prognosis than those treated with mastectomy, and breast conservation can be offered when feasible clinically.

ß-Cyclodextrin-based supramolecular poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels prepared by frontal polymerization.

Frontal polymerization (FP) was successfully applied to the synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted-acryloyl-ß-cyclodextrin supramolecularly crosslinked hydrogels. It was established that acryloyl-ß-cyclodextrin (AßCD) allowed performing successful frontal polymerizations with N-isopropylacrylamide even in the absence of any covalent crosslinker, which is something generally required. It was found that the swelling properties of the resulting hydrogels can be tuned by varying the amount of AßCD. Namely, when little amounts of this non-covalent crosslinker were used, superabsorbent hydrogels were obtained. Hydrogels containing also a covalent crosslinker were also prepared for comparison. These latter exhibited swelling ratios that are much lower than the others.

Clinical and mycological evaluation of an herbal antifungal formulation in canine Malassezia dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Malassezia pachydermatis is a common cause of more widespread dermatitis in dogs (CMD). Recurrences are common, and this disorder can be very troubling for both dogs and for the pet owner. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The treatment of 20 dogs affected by dermatitis due to M. pachydermatis, with Malacalm(®), a commercially available mixture consisting of essential oils (Citrus aurantium 1%, Lavandula officinalis 1%, Origanum vulgare 0.5%, Origanum majorana 0.5%, Mentha piperita 0.5% and Helichrysum italicum var. italicum 0.5%, in sweet almond oil and coconut oil) is reported. The effectiveness of the whole mixture, of component essential oils and of their more represented compounds against clinical isolates was evaluated by a microdilution test. Twenty animals were topically administered the mixture twice daily for 1 month. Ten animals were treated with a conventional therapy based on ketoconazole 10mg/kg/day and chlorhexidine 2% twice a week for 3 weeks. At the end of both treatments animals significantly improved their clinical status. Adverse effects were never noticed. Follow-up visit performed on day 180th allowed to observe a recurrence of clinical signs in all the subjects treated conventionally, while not significant clinical changes were referred in dogs treated with Malacalm(®). The overall MIC value of Malacalm(®) was 0.3%. O. vulgare showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), being active at 0.8%, followed by M. piperita (1%), O. majorana (1.3%), C. aurantium (2%) and L. officinalis (4%) while H. italicum did not yield any antimycotic effect up to 10%. Active major compounds were thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineol, limonene and menthol. CONCLUSION: The phytotherapic treatment achieved a good clinical outcome, and no recurrence of skin disorders on day 180th was recorded. This herbal remedium appeared to be a safe tool for limiting recurrences of CMD.

Prenatal diagnosis of haemophilia B: the Italian experience.

This article describes prenatal diagnosis (PND) of haemophilia B (HB) within the framework of Italian haemophilia centres and genetics laboratories. The study details the experience from six haemophilia genetic centres (three in the North, one in the Centre and two in the South of Italy) and summarizes the different techniques used to perform PND of HB during the last 15 years. To date, the Italian HB database includes 373 characterized unrelated patients and their genetic information has permitted the identification of 274 carriers of childbearing age. This database represents the main instrument for timely and precise PND. Sixty-six prenatal diagnoses were performed on 52 HB carriers whose average age at the time was 34 (ranging from 24 to 44 years). In 44 cases, genetic counselling for carrier status determination was performed before pregnancy, while eight were not studied prior to pregnancy. Foetal samples were obtained by chorionic villus sampling in 52 cases, by amniocentesis in 12 while two were diagnosed by analysis of free foetal DNA obtained from maternal peripheral blood. In 35 (53%) pregnancies the foetus was female. For 31 men (47%), haemophilia status was determined by analysis of previously determined informative markers or familial mutations (12 affected and 19 unaffected). There may be more than one laboratory involved in the PND diagnostic pathway (providing DNA extraction, karyotype analysis, gender determination, maternal contamination detection, molecular diagnosis and sequencing). Good communication between all the parties, coordinated by the haemophilia centre, is essential for a successful and rapid process.

Forkhead box M1B is a determinant of rat susceptibility to hepatocarcinogenesis and sustains ERK activity in human HCC.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies indicate unrestrained cell cycle progression in liver lesions from hepatocarcinogenesis-susceptible Fisher 344 (F344) rats and a block of G(1)-S transition in corresponding lesions from resistant Brown Norway (BN) rats. Here, the role of the Forkhead box M1B (FOXM1) gene during hepatocarcinogenesis in both rat models and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Levels of FOXM1 and its targets were determined by immunoprecipitation and real-time PCR analyses in rat and human samples. FOXM1 function was investigated by either FOXM1 silencing or overexpression in human HCC cell lines. Activation of FOXM1 and its targets (Aurora Kinose A, Cdc2, cyclin B1, Nek2) occurred earlier and was most pronounced in liver lesions from F344 than BN rats, leading to the highest number of Cdc2-cyclin B1 complexes (implying the highest G(2)-M transition) in F344 rats. In human HCC, the level of FOXM1 progressively increased from surrounding non-tumorous livers to HCC, reaching the highest levels in tumours with poorer prognosis (as defined by patients' length of survival). Furthermore, expression levels of FOXM1 directly correlated with the proliferation index, genomic instability rate and microvessel density, and inversely with apoptosis. FOXM1 upregulation was due to extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and glioblastoma-associated oncogene 1 (GLI1) combined activity, and its overexpression resulted in increased proliferation and angiogenesis and reduced apoptosis in human HCC cell lines. Conversely, FOXM1 suppression led to decreased ERK activity, reduced proliferation and angiogenesis, and massive apoptosis of human HCC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: FOXM1 upregulation is associated with the acquisition of a susceptible phenotype in rats and influences human HCC development and prognosis.

Mutational spectrum of F8 gene and prothrombotic gene variants in haemophilia A patients from Southern Italy.

Haemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked recessive haemorrhagic disorder caused by a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII. Disease causative mutations are heterogeneous and spread all over the F8 gene sequence, with the exception of intron 22 inversion occurring in about 50% of severe patients. To define the specific mutational repertoire and mutation detection rate, we analysed F8 gene, by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing, in 128 unrelated patients from Southern Italy with severe (n = 108), moderate (n = 9) or mild (n = 11) HA. We identified 120 mutations, including 64 cases of intron 22 inversion (53.3%), three of intron 1 inversion (2.5%), one large deletion (0,8%) and 52 point mutations (43.3%). In particular, 19/120 were novel and 7/52 point mutations (13.5%) occurred at CpG sites. We also investigated eight prothrombotic genetic variants in a subgroup of 74 severe HA patients to evaluate their possible protective effect on the severity of clinical expression. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G variants recurred more frequently in HA patients with a less-severe phenotype. Clinical impact of these findings needs large-scale studies to further define the role of these prothrombotic variants as possible modifier factors of HA phenotype.

Nasal administration of carbamazepine using chitosan microspheres: in vitro/in vivo studies.

The nasal route is used both for local therapies and, more recently, for the systemic administration of drugs, as well as for the delivery of peptides and vaccines. In this study the nasal administration of Carbamazepine (CBZ) has been studied using microspheres constituted by chitosan hydrochloride (CH) or chitosan glutamate (CG). Blank microspheres were also prepared as a comparison. The microspheres were produced using a spray-drying technique and characterized in terms of morphology (scanning electron microscopy, SEM), drug content, particle size (laser diffraction method) and thermal behaviour (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC). In vitro drug release studies were performed in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). In vivo tests were carried out in sheep using the microparticles containing chitosan glutamate, chosen on the basis of the results of in vitro studies. The results were compared to those obtained after the nasal administration of CBZ (raw material) alone. For the evaluation of in vivo data statistical analysis was carried out using the unpaired t-test. Spray-drying was a good technique of preparation of CBZ-loaded microspheres. The loading of the drug into the polymeric network always led to an increase in the dissolution rate compared to CBZ raw material. The microspheres obtained using chitosan glutamate had the best behaviour both in vitro and in vivo. They increased the drug concentration in the serum when compared to the nasal administration of the pure drug (Cmax 800 and 25 ng/ml for microspheres and pure drug, respectively). The results obtained indicate that the loading of CBZ in chitosan glutamate microspheres increases the amount of the drug absorbed through the nose.

Pharmacological evaluation of the novel thromboxane modulator BM-567 (I/II). Effects of BM-567 on platelet function.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of BM-567 (N-pentyl-N'-[(2-cyclohexylamino-5-nitrobenzene)sulfonyl]urea), a torasemide derivative, on both thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) receptors (TP) and thromboxane synthase of human platelets. The drug affinity for TP receptors of human washed platelets has been determined. In this test, BM-567 showed a high affinity (IC(50): 1.1+/-0.1nM) for the TP receptors in comparison with BM-531 (IC(50): 7.8+/-0.7nM) and sulotroban (IC(50): 931+/-85nM), two TXA(2) antagonists. We also demonstrated that BM-567 prevented platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA) (600 microM) (ED(100): 0.20+/-0.10 microM), U-46619, a stable TXA(2) agonist (1 microM) (ED(50): 0.30+/-0.04 microM) and collagen (1microgram ml(-1)) (% of inhibition: 44.3+/-4.3% at 10 microM) and inhibited the second wave of ADP (2microM). Moreover, when BM-567 was incubated in whole blood from healthy donors, the closure time measured by the Platelet Function analyzer (PFA-100((R))) was significantly prolonged (closure time: 215+/-21s) by using collagen/epinephrine cartridges. Finally, at the concentration of 1 microM, BM-567 completely reduced the TXB(2) production from human platelets stimulated with AA (600 microM). These results indicate that BM-567 is a novel combined TXA(2) receptor antagonist and thromboxane synthase inhibitor characterized by a powerful antiplatelet potency.

Compressed biodegradable matrices of spray-dried PLGA microspheres for the modified release of ketoprofen.

A spray-drying technique was used to prepare poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) drug loaded microspheres. Ketoprofen was chosen as a model NSAID drug. The microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, drug content and release behaviour. The spray-dried particles were subject to a direct compression process for the preparation of biodegradable matrix tablets. The spray-dried powders were found to have good compaction properties. Tablets were also prepared from a mixture of microspheres and microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or sodium alginate. The release of ketoprofen in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was significantly sustained, indicating the suitability of using tabletted spray-dried PLGA microspheres for controlled drug delivery. The results show that spray-dried PLGA particles have promising properties as direct compression and release controlling excipients in matrix tablets for oral administration.

Leptin as a novel therapeutic target for immune intervention.

The recent cloning of the leptin (obese, ob) gene has determined fundamental insight into the understanding of the regulation of food intake, basal metabolism and reproductive function. Leptin, mainly secreted by adipocytes, belongs to the helical cytokine family and its plasma concentrations correlate with fat mass and respond to changes in energy balance. Initially, leptin was considered as an anti-obesity hormone, but experimental evidence has also shown pleiotropic effects of this molecule on hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, lymphoid organ homeostasis and T lymphocyte functions. More specifically, leptin links the pro-inflammatory T helper (Th)-1 immune response to the nutritional status and the energy balance. Indeed, decreased leptin concentrations during conditions of food deprivation lead to impaired immune capabilities. This review focuses on the potential therapeutic utilities for agents that manipulate the leptin-adipocyte axis and discusses novel strategies for an immune intervention in pathologic conditions.

Leptin potentiates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL female mice and confers susceptibility to males.

SJL (H-2s) female mice are more susceptible than males to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by immunization with myelin-derived peptides. The reasons for this sexual dimorphism are unclear, but may include such factors as sex-related differences in immune responsiveness, hormonal effects and sex-linked genetic factors. Recent evidence indicates that leptin modifies T cell immunity promoting T helper (Th) 1 pro-inflammatory immune responses. Circulating leptin levels show a marked sexual dimorphism, being higher in females than in males. In the present study, we investigated whether leptin treatment altered the course of relapsing-remitting EAE, induced by the proteolipid protein peptide (PLP(139-151)), in SJL susceptible females and EAE-resistant males. Administration of leptin to female SJL mice before or after disease onset significantly worsened the disease, with a concomitant increase in the PLP(139-151)-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactivity and in vitro IFN-gamma secretion. Leptin treatment at priming with antigen or before disease onset rendered male SJL mice susceptible to EAE, with the appearance of PLP(139-151)-specific DTH reactivity and a switch from a Th2 to Th1 pattern of cytokine release. Our findings indicate that leptin administration to susceptible females resulted in a more severe disease, and that reduced leptin levels in male SJL mice may contribute to the gender-related differences in the induction phase of EAE.

The peritoneal fluid concentration of leptin is increased in women with peritoneal but not ovarian endometriosis.

This study was designed to measure leptin concentrations in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with different aspects of pelvic endometriosis. Among 36 consecutive women undergoing laparoscopy, nine were diagnosed as having minimal-mild endometriosis (stage I-II). Among nine other subjects with advanced stage (III-IV) disease, six showed one or more ovarian endometriotic cysts as the only operative finding. The remaining 18 unaffected women constituted the control group. Patients with endometriosis had significantly higher PF leptin concentrations (32.6 +/- 16.2 versus 17.1 +/- 6.6 ng/ml, P = 0.002); this difference remained significant when corrected for body mass index (BMI) (PF leptin/BMI ratio 1.41 +/- 0.67 versus 0.76 +/- 0.28, P = 0.001). Furthermore, the PF leptin/BMI ratio was significantly higher in women with peritoneal implants than in those in whom no implant was found at laparoscopy (1.6 +/- 0.7 versus 0.83 +/- 0.33, P = 0.007). Conversely, patients with one or more ovarian endometriomata as the only finding, had a PF leptin/BMI ratio comparable with that in women where no cyst was found (1.05 +/- 0.4 versus 1.1 +/- 0.65). In women with stage I-II endometriosis, a higher mean PF leptin/BMI ratio was found compared with those affected by stage III-IV (1.78 +/- 0.68 versus 1.05 +/- 0.43, P = 0.01). These results show that during endometriosis the presence of peritoneal disease, and not of ovarian endometriotic cysts, influences leptin concentrations in PF. The data suggest that leptin may play a role in the development of peritoneal endometriosis, and that different biochemical phenomena might be involved in the pathogenesis of the ovarian form of the disease.

Requirement for leptin in the induction and progression of autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Recent evidence indicates that leptin modifies T cell immunity, and may provide a key link between nutritional deficiency and immune dysfunction. To study the influence of leptin on autoimmunity, susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by immunization with a myelin-derived peptide was examined in leptin-deficient, C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice, with or without leptin replacement, and in wild-type controls. Leptin replacement converted disease resistance to susceptibility in the C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice; this was accompanied by a switch from a Th2 to Th1 pattern of cytokine release and consequent reversal of Ig subclass production. Our findings suggest that leptin is required for the induction and maintenance of an effective proinflammatory immune response in the CNS.

The fine specificity of human T cell lines towards myelin basic protein peptides in southern Italian multiple sclerosis patients.

We studied the relationship between the HLA specificities associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility in southern Italy and the reactivity of the human myelin basic protein (hMBP) immunogenic peptides 84-98 and 143-168, using short-term T-cell lines established from 9 MS patients and from 8 healthy individuals. In our population, DR15 was significantly associated with MS (34.9% in MS versus 13.7% in healthy controls, P < 0.05). This result is in agreement with the association found in northern Europe, but not with data obtained in a population from the island of Sardinia (Italy). In MS patients the frequency of reactive T-cell lines (TCL), tested for fine specificity against the immunodominant hMBP peptides 84-98 and 143-168, was increased for the hMBP 143-168 peptide (P < 0.05) but not for the 84-98 peptide. Although this reactivity was higher in DR15+ MS patients than in DR 15- MS patients, it seemed not to be associated with DR15 specificity in the MS population. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in frequency of reactive TCL to hMBP peptide 84-98 in DR15-positive or DR15-negative MS patients. Consequently, it appears that peptide 84-98, considered as a relevant autoantigen, is not implicated in the pathogenesis of MS in our population from southern Italy.

Increased leptin levels in serum and peritoneal fluid of patients with pelvic endometriosis.

Pelvic endometriosis is an immune-related chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by ectopic implants of endometrium in the peritoneal cavity and associated with increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and neoangiogenesis. Leptin, the adipocyte-derived hormone, has been shown to have a role in food intake, basal metabolism, and reproductive function. Leptin levels are dynamically regulated, being elevated by inflammatory mediators and reduced by starvation. Leptin itself can influence the proinflammatory immune responses of CD4+ T lymphocytes, and reports have also shown this hormone to be an angiogenic factor in vitro and in vivo. We investigated whether leptin concentrations in serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) differed between 13 patients with different stages of endometriosis and 15 age- and body mass index-matched controls. We found a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in leptin levels in serum (30.3 +/- 14.8 ng/mL) and PF (35.9 +/- 17.4 ng/mL) of patients with endometriosis, compared with our control population (serum, 15.6 +/- 8.4; PF, 17.5 +/- 7.2 ng/mL). Regression equations, relating leptin to body mass index, were also significantly different in endometriosis patients, compared with controls. Higher levels of leptin were observed in the earlier stages of endometriosis than advanced-stage disease. These data suggest that the proinflammatory and neoangiogenic actions of leptin may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

In vitro viability of vitrified mouse morulae thawed at different temperatures.

The effect of thawing temperature on in vitro development of vitrified mouse morulae was investigated. The embryos were vitrified in a solution based on ethylene glycol as cryoprotectant, and Ficoll as macromolecule to assist vitrification. They were then thawed at 20 degrees, 37 degrees and 48 degrees C for 6 sec and at 48 degrees C for 2 sec. Among groups, there was no significant difference on the development at 72 h of culture when embryos were thawed at 20 degrees, 37 degrees C for 6 sec or 48 degrees C for 2 sec. At 48 h of culture the embryos thawed at lower temperature had a reduced resumption (69.5%) while the embryos thawed at 37 degrees and 48 degrees C for 2 sec had a higher resumption rate (80.0% and 82.5%). It was concluded that a high development in vitro of vitrified mouse morulae can be obtained at three different temperatures of thawing, although at higher temperatures there seems to be a tendency of an earlier resumption development.